Bowers Sweeps Reno AMA Arenacross

Saturday night signified the final night of action for the Reno Arenacross and the fans inside the Livestock Events Center were witness to exceptional competition.

For the second straight evening, Monster Energy/AMSOIL Kawasaki presented by Maxxis’ Tyler Bowers, of Danville, Ky., took advantage of a strong start to win his 12th race of the season, and inch even closer to a second consecutive Arenacross Class title.

FMF Power/Poynt Tuf Honda’s Jeff Gibson, of Blacklick, Ohio, replicated his efforts from the previous evening to take the early lead in the 25-lap Arenacross Class Main Event. However, Bowers wasn’t far behind and quickly began to put pressure on his rival. Gibson managed to open up a comfortable gap early on, but Bowers quickly minimized the advantage.

On Lap 9, Bowers moved into the lead and proceeded to take control of the main event. The Kawasaki rider continued to pull away from the field on each lap, and ultimately took the checkered flag with a near 13-second advantage over the rest of the field.

Gibson held on for second to ensure that the championship won’t be decided until the season finale, while Bella’s Cupcakes/Club MX Kawasaki’s Zach Ames, of Prospect, Ohio, finished third.

Bowers heads into the final race of the season next weekend in Minneapolis with a 24-point lead over Gibson.

BNTQ.Net/Tuf Honda Racing’s Kevin Markwardt, of Freeport, Ill., grabbed the early lead for the second consecutive night in the 18-lap Arenacross Lites Class Main Event, followed by Ginolfi and TZR Honda’s Scott Zont, of Algonquin, Ill.

On Lap 9, Ginolfi made his move into the lead, and opened up an slight gap over the field. In the closing stages, Foremost Insurance/Spinechillers Kawasaki’s Steven Mages, of Sardinia, Ohio, made a late surge towards the front, closing to within less than a second of the lead.

Ginolfi fended off Mages for the win, while Motostar Kawasaki’s Michael McDade, of Edinburg, Pa., rounded out the podium in third.

In the Dash for cash, Gibson took the win in the four-lap sprint. All proceeds went to the local Northern Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation and The Children’s Cabinet.

The AMA Arenacross Series hosts its 12th and final round of the season next weekend from Minneapolis, Minn., and the Target Center. Champions will be crowned next Saturday, February 25, with action kicking off at 7:00 p.m. CDT.